CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — There is controversy over a local school superintendent who is set to collect a hefty salary after he retires.
Chesterfield school superintendent Marcus Newsome plans to retire next July. But after he leaves the job, Newsome will still be able to collect a paycheck.
The superintendent’s employment contract guarantees him consulting fees. He gets 28% of his salary in exchange for ten days of work. That’s more than 65,000 dollars a year for consulting the district.
“I just don’t understand the thinking behind that,” says Chesterfield resident Floyd Bayne, who also serves as a substitute teacher for the district. “If he’s able to get that kind of stipulation in the private sector, more power to him. I mean that’s what we all hope to do at some point. But in the public sector when you’re getting paid with taxpayer dollars, no. The government has an obligation to use our money wisely.”
8News looked at the contracts of other superintendents in our area. Districts In Henrico, Hanover and Richmond do not promise the superintendents post-retirement paychecks.
Critics of the Chesterfield deal contend Newsome’s replacement should not get the same retirement perk.
So who will make that call? The school board approves those contracts.
8News reached out to every board member for their thoughts on this controversy. None responded.
